There are a great many people around here, and indeed the world over, who genuinely care about their communities and their neighbors and do whatever they can to make their community and neighborhood a better place to live and work. We have numerous people like those right here in Kershaw County, many of whom are perfectly content to remain behind the scenes and quietly do good work not for the glory or accolades, but rather for the satisfaction they feel knowing they're making a difference.

I've been a parent for just shy of 21 years. I only blinked once, OK, maybe twice in that time, but still proceeded to fast-forward 20 years and at breakneck speed. I never can find that pesky "pause" button and, believe me, I've tried.

When the 15th and 17th Corps of Sherman's Army entered Kershaw District on February 23, 1865, at Peay's Ferry on the Wateree River west of Liberty Hill, then crossed the district in three days, and were poised to exit it on Lynches River at Young's Bridge, Tillers Ferry and Kelly's Bridge, locally the war was all but over.

I like to write my weekly column on humorous topics when possible. During my months here, I've managed to sprinkle in some stories of goofy things that have happened in my life and there are more I would love to convey to you. I'm probably not as funny as I sometimes think I am, but those are still the kinds of musings I prefer.

BISHOPVILLE -- Lee Correctional Institution, South Carolina's largest maximum-security prison, gets plenty of bad press -- from a riot and a lockdown in February to drone-delivered contraband a few days ago.